The gay-themed movie Modern Love has been quietly picking up a great cast, with Kate Walsh, Anthony Rapp and Jonathan Bennett all set to star, and now, with shooting underway, they’ve been joined by Alyson Hannigan, Thomas Dekker (“Nightmare on Elm Street”), Alona Tal, Sam Anderson, Lee Garlington, Mackenzie Astin and Hutchi Hancock, according to Variety.
It’s certainly a better line-up than the majority of gay-themed films get, but as this one is about the currently hot issue of gay marriage, it’s managed to attract a little bit more cash and known actors than most. It’s not known whether Hannigan will be stepping back into lesbian shoes following her famed turn as Willow in Buffy, but whatever character she’s playing, it will be great to see her.
The film ‘follows an intimate group of friends and family gathering at the home of two gay men — portrayed by Rapp and Bennett — to celebrate their nuptials. When the wedding hits a snag, the group helps the grooms to see that all marriages have their challenges.’
Those behind the movie hope it will have wide appeal, with the producers saying that writer/director Joshua Tunick’s script is about affirming the importance of the commitment of marriage for everyone – gay and straight – rather than just being about what it means from the LGBT perspective.
Filming is happening now in LA, although there’s no hint as to when we might see the movie.
1999 was a bit of a watermark year for gay representation on US television. Will & Grace was growing into a major hit (having premiered in late 1998), Jack came out on Dawson’s Creek, and in the world of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Willow (Alyson Hannigan) and Tara (Amber Benson) fell in love.
